Silica sand???

[Bakapuma]

I am almost done with my build. I just mixed reef sand of different sizes for my sand bed. I used argonite but there is one bag of sand I added that has me wondering. It is Nature's ocean white marine sand #0. I did some checking and it appears that it is a silica based sand. I now that the fine sand will blow around a bit but I am more concerned about the health of the reef inhabitants. Is this going to be detrimental? The ratio is 60 lbs of argonite and 10 lbs of the silica sand.

[eklikewhoa]

searched it and it says it's 100% natural aragonite

[Bakapuma]

So am I just freaking out. I went to the company web site and it has two fine sands availible. One is argonite, the other I assume isnt

[eklikewhoa]

Could you link the page you found that made you question it? I am looking through there site and the only fine sand for reef is aragonite.

[sunkenmetal]

Ive read about silica sand in salt water something about brown diatoms

[mnemenoi]

We have tough issues with Brown diatoms in our Tanganyikan tank, I have a suspicion its from a large piece of lace rock. The sand is Aragonite and it gets crazy around just that piece of rock.

[Bakapuma]

Marine White Sand #0
Premium Reef Sand:
Ideal for reef system tank bottoms, denitrifying anaerobic beds, extremely high surface area filter media.
Benefits:
Reduces Nitrates. Does not affect pH. Pre-washed Minimum Rinse Required. 100% From The Ocean Floor. Heat Sterilized. Ideal for culturing Live sand. Will not alter the chemistry of your aquarium water.
Item #: 10791
UPC: 029904107912
Grain size: 0.1-0.5mm
Packaged: 2 - 20 lb Bags per case
Net Weight: 40 lbs

http://www.reefsand.com/

[eklikewhoa]

Marine White Sand #0
Premium Reef Sand:
Ideal for reef system tank bottoms, denitrifying anaerobic beds, extremely high surface area filter media.
Benefits:
Reduces Nitrates. Does not affect pH. Pre-washed Minimum Rinse Required. 100% From The Ocean Floor. Heat Sterilized. Ideal for culturing Live sand. Will not alter the chemistry of your aquarium water.
Item #: 10791
UPC: 029904107912
Grain size: 0.1-0.5mm
Packaged: 2 - 20 lb Bags per case
Net Weight: 40 lbs

http://www.reefsand.com/

Hmm... this looks fishy...

Reduces nitrates - deep sand bed?
Does not effect pH - Not aragonite?
From the ocean floor - somewhat does mean it's silica

I think you should be fine for the most part.

[sunkenmetal]

alright if I remember correctly certain diatoms extract silica from the water column causing the brown slime. I am trying to find the article.

[eklikewhoa]

We have tough issues with Brown diatoms in our Tanganyikan tank, I have a suspicion its from a large piece of lace rock. The sand is Aragonite and it gets crazy around just that piece of rock.

Isn't lace high in iron?

[sunkenmetal]

mmmm rusty algae

[Bakapuma]

I suppose I can just go with it. I plan on getting a number of gobies and dont want them to die. I have been out of the hobby for awhile and I cant remember if I used this stuff in the past. I always make a mixed sand bed to accommodate sand sifters. As for diatoms there is plenty of silica in a water column, including the glass we use. Diatom blooms happen from cycling and high nutrient concentrations. Infact diatoms get skimmed out of the water column by our skimmer thus removing nitrates. Diatoms consume nitrates.

[sunkenmetal]

why would silica sand be bad for gobies?

[Bakapuma]

mmmm rusty algae

sounds tangy!
Pun intended

[eklikewhoa]

I suppose I can just go with it. I plan on getting a number of gobies and dont want them to die. I have been out of the hobby for awhile and I cant remember if I used this stuff in the past. I always make a mixed sand bed to accommodate sand sifters. As for diatoms there is plenty of silica in a water column, including the glass we use. Diatom blooms happen from cycling and high nutrient concentrations. Infact diatoms get skimmed out of the water column by our skimmer thus removing nitrates. Diatoms consume nitrates.

I believe the silica in glass is different from silica in sand... not that they aren't two of the same but the stage or state of the silica is what makes the difference. I read something about this not too long ago and this was one of the arguments that was brought up.